Study: Consumers, Growers Confident In Modern Agriculture

A majority of consumers and growers agree that modern agriculture can achieve two critical goals simultaneously: Feed the world’s growing population while demonstrating responsible stewardship.

More than 80% of the growers and nearly 70% of the consumers who participated in a recent BASF survey were confident that growers will be able to strike a balance between producing enough food for the planet and preserving it for future generations. “Technology and knowledge advancements” were cited by both groups as the primary reasons for their confidence.

“Technology is and will continue to be the number one driver behind our ability to meet the demands of a growing population in a way that stewards resources,” said Paul Rea, Vice President, U.S. Crop Operations, BASF. “We know there is no room for failure — we have to make it happen. This is what drives our commitment to invest $2 million a day in research and development on innovations that will help growers preserve the land and maximize yields.”

According the growers surveyed, these vital capabilities are growing. When asked if stewardship efforts in agriculture have improved over the last few years, 85% of the growers surveyed agreed. That’s nearly a 10% increase in positive responses from a BASF survey conducted two years ago.

“This growth in confidence behind agriculture parallels the growth in the number of innovations that the industry continues bringing to the market,” said Rea. “BASF will introduce more than 30 new products by 2015, helping growers produce higher quality crops and more output.”

The survey indicated that for farmers, stewardship is an intrinsic belief that is a constant among growers. Every one of the 350 growers surveyed agreed that their peers care about the environment.

“The land is my livelihood,” said one grower who participated. “If I ruin it, I am out of business.”

Consumers believe that high quality crops and more output should be a farmer’s top priority. “We’re proud of the role BASF has played in helping growers get the most out of every acre,” said Rea. “Our leadership in Advanced Weed Control helps growers fight yield-robbing weeds. And, through our commitment to Plant Health, we’re helping growers control diseases while increasing growth efficiency and stress tolerance. All of these things work together to maximize yield potential and quality, in ways that will continue moving forward to meet the challenges of feeding a growing population.”

The survey regarding the confidence in agriculture was conducted among 400 consumers and 360 growers in 2012.